Bill · S. 3478· Senate(119-S-3478)
Indian Buffalo Management Act
- Introduced
- 12/15/2025
- Last activity
- 12/15/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Martin Heinrich
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Indian Buffalo Management Act. It assists Tribal governments in managing buffalo and buffalo habitat, and in reestablishing buffalo on Indian land. The Secretary of the Interior is directed to work with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to develop their capacity to manage buffalo and buffalo habitat. The bill authorizes contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants for Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to plan and implement buffalo restoration programs, commercial activities, and meat processing facilities. The Secretary is also required to provide technical assistance, consult with Tribes on initiatives affecting buffalo, and coordinate management activities with Tribal goals and laws. Finally, the authority provided by the Act ceases to be effective seven years after its enactment.
Yes· 3 of 20
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
Significantly benefits Indian Tribes by supporting buffalo restoration, economic development, and cultural preservation.
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?+5
Protects and supports the historical, cultural, and spiritual connection between buffalo and Indian Tribes.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+4
Directly benefits rural and reservation communities involved in land and animal management.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Tribal Programs and Commercial Activities: Under Section 4(b)(1), the Secretary of the Interior shall enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and award grants to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to plan or implement buffalo restoration programs, execute commercial activities related to buffalo, support mobile meat processing facilities, and carry out other related activities. This provides direct financial and programmatic support for Tribal economic development and food sources.
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Transfer of Surplus Federal Buffalo: Under Section 7, the Secretary may enter into agreements to transport surplus buffalo from Federal land onto Indian land, and may waive any charges or payments for these buffalo. This helps Tribes successfully reestablish buffalo herds without financial burdens.
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Protection of Sensitive Information: Under Section 6, the Secretary is prohibited from disclosing any information provided by an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that is identified as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or confidential. This protects private and sacred Tribal information from being made public.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Retention of Disease and Escape Laws: Under Section 4(b)(2), nothing in the subsection regarding contracts and grants diminishes any Federal or State law or regulation regarding diseased buffalo or buffalo that escape from Indian land. This means Tribes remain fully subject to existing external laws and potential penalties concerning escaped or sick animals.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+7Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Farmers+3Good For Children+2Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Seniors+2Good For Young Adults+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Religious Freedom+5Improves Racial Equity+4Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4Improves Environmental Protections+3Improves Public Land Management+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth+1
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+3
- 7/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 12/15/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- Alan Armstrong
Republican · Oklahoma
Markwayne MullinRepublican · Oklahoma
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota